One game to go and the opportunity, should we beat Reading on Sunday, to cement 10th place in the Premier League; it has been a “very good year”, as Frank Sinatra used to sing.

When I look back over the year —and the Championship Play-off Final was exactly 12 months ago on Sunday — it has to be a great source of satisfaction to the West Ham players, staff and fans that we have come so far in such a short time.

There was much to do when we finally won promotion at Wembley but we did have one advantage — the final was two weeks earlier than normal because of Euro 2012.

We certainly needed that extra time because another massive transformation of the squad was required. There were players who were at the ends of their contracts and we had to decide whether to offer them new deals or let them go.

In the end, we released them because we needed that money to bring in players who were, hopefully, going to be better than the ones leaving.

The lads who went had helped us get promoted but we needed new talent to come in alongside the basis of the team that had done so well in the Championship.

Experience had also taught me to sign players who, if we were promoted, already had knowledge of the Premier League. That proved to be a big advantage for us.

Robert Green left us but we quickly brought in Jussi Jaaskelainen who has been outstanding.

Some others, such as Modibo Maiga or Alou Diarra, have not fared so well but some handle transition better than others.

Matt Jarvis and Andy Carroll have done really well, James Collins has added strength and stability to the core of the team and Joe Cole still has plenty to offer.

The squad have learned much this season and that will hold them in good stead as we try during the summer to bring in new, better players yet again. Here’s my assessment of our season and what we need to do during the summer.

THIS SEASON'S TARGETS

We have been consistent apart from a mid-season blip when we took five points from eight games which was relegation form.

We divided the season up into four sections of eight games, with one of six at the end. Our first eight matches brought us 14 points, good enough for a top-six finish.

Realistically, we knew we wouldn’t sustain that form and in the next two groups of eight we managed eight points and then just five.

We rallied well in the fourth group, totalling 11 points and, should we win on Sunday, we will have eight points from our last six games, good enough for 10th, which was our target at the start of the season. Our plan next term will be similar. West Ham, first and foremost, need stability and our priority next season will be the same as this one — staying in the Premier League.

REASONS TO BE CHEERFUL

Just making sure we’re safe eases the pressure on everyone and it’s always a great moment as a manager when you are clear of relegation.

Apart from that, the beginning of the season was very satisfying. You put your plans in place and hope that you have covered everything but there is always that feeling of apprehension at the start, especially on our first season back in the Premier League.

We needn’t have worried, however.

We beat Aston Villa 1-0 in our opening game and the performances continued to build until we hit some injuries and there was a decline.

If there is one game which stands out, it was the 3-1 home win over Chelsea. The fans really enjoyed that.

DISAPPOINTMENTS

One main one is that our players have not got enough credit for what they have done this season.

There are clubs around and below us who are given due praise but the players here don’t seem to receive the same sort of accolades.

I know the reason; me and the old, hackneyed, long-ball perception thing. All I can do in response is say we haven’t played that way. We have good players, who I have, hopefully, taught to be adaptable for when we change for particular games.

Not all managers appear to do that. David Moyes does, as he showed in our game against Everton last week when he put Marouane Fellaini in front of their back four to stop Andy.

Moyes changes and adapts his team according to the opposition but there isn’t a lot of credit for doing that.

I didn’t know, for example, that football was all about keeping the ball in midfield. I thought it was about creating chances in the goalmouth areas which excites everyone but it appears that’s not the case.

There was, for instance, very little excitement in either penalty area in the FA Cup Final, even though it was a fantastic result for Wigan.

Is that where we’re at now? Keeping hold of the ball in midfield and hoping for the odd chance to come our way? Is that good enough? For me, that’s not what football is about.

ONE WISH?

Ideally, to have my squad settled nice and early and not have to wait until the end of August. Realistically, though, that won’t happen but that’s just the way of the football world.

To be fair to David Sullivan, he’s trying to make deals work all the time but it’s not easy with players wanting to take their time over options.

What would be ideal is that, by the time we start pre-season on July 1, we only need one or two more.

HOW CAN WE IMPROVE?

Score more goals away from home. Most of the performances have been okay but our lack of finishing power has put too much pressure on the defence that have eventually cracked.

We’ve failed to score in nine away League games this season and that’s not good enough. We’ve had some poor performances away but that’s bound to happen in your first season back and it’s better they happen away from home rather than at Upton Park.

SECOND-SEASON SYNDROME

I believe the statistics demonstrate that the first year — not the second — is the most dangerous time.

If you do the right business, the second season should be easier although I admit that sometimes groups of players find it more difficult because it’s not new anymore.

Our squad may not feel quite the same level of excitement and anticipation. In fact, there might be a little complacency.

My job is to see that doesn’t happen. It’s up to me to bring better players in, players who demand more of their new team-mates.

NEW CONTRACT

I’m very happy everything is settled. We need stability at this club and, so I’m told, I’m already the fifth-longest-serving manager in the Premier League. It took me much longer to get to that stage when I was at Bolton.

The bottom line, though, is that the best way of controlling our own destiny is to keep winning. Longevity is about winning games.

It’s going to be different next season. Three of the top clubs, Manchester United, Manchester City and Chelsea, will have new managers — and there will be no Fergie.

I will keep in touch with him but we’ll all miss his presence down on the touchlines.

He was the godfather, the greatest club manager in the history of football, and his departure will leave a big hole.

We’ll all miss him — even, given time, the media in Manchester.

SUMMER SPENDING

I would say a maximum of six players in but I’m not sure how many out.

As soon as Sunday’s game is finished, our priority will be to address those who are out of contract and those who are on loan.

Then we will decide if any players’ deals need renegotiating before we go out into the market, looking for new players but always mindful that other clubs might come asking for some of ours.

Signing Andy Carroll (above) is, obviously, a priority for us and would make a big statement. Will we be successful?